A character regenerated

In my 30s I had a healing that gives beautiful evidence of God’s unconditional love for me and all. I was raised in Christian Science and attended the Sunday School, but I had drifted away from any religious interest. As a long-distance traveler, I had been too busy to attend church or study the Christian Science Bible Lesson, and things were tempting “out there.” I was as far away as one could get from any belief in God, and I had become quite a selfish, unkind, hard, and immoral person. I was in a bad state mentally, feeling desperate, and taking tranquilizers. I had continual headaches and other pains, experienced uncontrolled shaking, and was unable to work. My marriage was all but over, as I was out of love with my wife and interested in someone else.

In this wretched state, feeling so ill that I feared death was near, and angry with God (even though I hardly believed there was one) for letting this happen, I turned in despair rather than in hope to the Bible for some message of comfort or assurance that God might be there and help me. Opening the Bible at random, I came to Isaiah 22:18: “He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die.” I was shocked, and frankly afraid at this. While someone else might get an entirely different meaning from this passage, what it meant to me at that moment was starkly clear, and the effect was instant. It spurred me to ring my former Sunday School teacher, who was now a Christian Science practitioner. 

“Help me!” I said. “What is the trouble, John?” she asked. “Just help me!” I shouted, and banged the phone down. I did not then believe that God, the practitioner, or anyone else could do anything for me. Even more convinced that I was finished, I sat dejected on the bed. Within a few minutes, as I sat there, the room grew brighter, as if a very bright light had been brought in. I felt as if a weight was lifting off me. I was calm and still, no shaking. The bad feelings were leaving. The pains were gone. I knew then I was experiencing instant spiritual healing, and I watched in awe as it progressed. My whole attitude changed. I was cleansed of my old ways. I was, from that moment, in love with my wife again—a new, steadfast, pure love that was enduring and beautiful. I was fully restored and a better person in every way. This awe-inspiring change took less than six or seven minutes, but to me it was an infinite experience for which I thank God constantly.

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From the Editors
The Bible holds its own
August 5, 2013
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